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Paraguay stroll, Fabiano fires Brazil

Paraguay continue to spring the surprises on the road to South
Africa 2010. The
Albirroja cashed in on Argentina's reverse in Colombia
with a comprehensive defeat of Chile in Santiago to move out on
their own at the top of the group after four matches.

Brazil remain third after Luis Fabiano helped them to victory in
the
clásico against Uruguay, while Ecuador put their dismal
start behind them by slamming five past Peru in Quito. Another side
among the goals were Venezuela, who pushed Bolivia to the bottom of
the table.

FIFA.com is here to round up all the news as the
goals rained down on matchday four.

The Estadio Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristobal was the place to be
this week as Venezuela and Bolivia served up an eight-goal
spectacular that sent the 42,000 fans home happy. Widely regarded
as the continent's makeweights, the duo showed what they can do
in a exciting encounter high on goals, good football and end-to-end
action.

Gerardo Martino's side show no signs of letting up in their
bid to reach the promised land in 2010. Their confidence high after
mauling Ecuador 5-1 at the weekend, the
Guaraníes travelled to Santiago and registered another
handsome win against a Chile side buoyed by Sunday's creditable
2-2 draw away to Uruguay. Solid in defence as usual and lethal on
the break, the Paraguayans silenced the full house at the Estadio
Nacional with a clinical performance sealed by two superb headers
from Paulo da Silva.

Player of the day: Luis Fabiano (BRA)

Handed a starting place alongside Robinho in the Brazilian front
line, the Sevilla striker earned his side a somewhat fortunate win
over old rivals Uruguay with two sharp finishes. Dunga's men
struggled to find their rhythm in Sao Paulo, and after falling
behind early on they were indebted to the No 9's alertness for
a win that keeps them third.

Goal of the dayColombia 2 - Argentina 1Ruben Bustos 62

The Colombian full-back served further notice of his dead-ball
skills to point his side towards victory against the
Albiceleste. Bustos cancelled out Lionel Messi's
opener with a dipping right-foot strike past Roberto
Abbondanzieri's outstretched hand, proving that Saturday's
equally spectacular winner against Venezuela was no fluke.

In conclusionWith only four games gone, the South American pack is still
tightly bunched together. Colombia's comeback against Argentina
showed they are serious contenders, and neighbours Venezuela have
slipped into fifth place and a play-off spot, raising their hopes
of an historic qualification campaign. Meanwhile new leaders
Paraguay made light of a daunting trip to Santiago and Brazil just
keep on going.

For some of the continent's coaches the pressure is already
on. With their sides firmly anchored to the bottom of the section,
Peru boss Jose del Solar and Bolivia supremo Erwin Sanchez are
coming in for fierce criticism from the media and fans alike.

Elsewhere Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa will need to start
working his magic with Chile if they are to stake a serious claim,
while Oscar Washington Tabarez's attacking tactics are not to
everyone's liking in Uruguay. For their part, struggling
Ecuador swept aside Peru to earn themselves some breathing space
after Luis Fernando Suarez's early departure. With not even a
quarter of the campaign completed, the South American qualification
race has underlined yet again that whatever the tactics, in
football it is results that count.

The numbers gameAfter slumping to defeat in Bogota, Argentina could at least
console themselves with the fact that Lionel Messi's goal was
the first Colombia's Agustin Julio had conceded in 837 minutes
of international duty.

The last time the Deportes Tolima custodian picked the ball out
of the net for his country was way back on 29 May 1999, when El
Salvador's Ronald Cerritos scored against him in a
friendly.

Coming upThe continent's finest now have a seven-month break
before their next qualification appointment. The battle for places
at South Africa 2010 is rejoined on 14-15 June 2008 with the
following matches on the card: Uruguay-Venezuela, Bolivia-Chile,
Paraguay-Brazil, Argentina-Ecuador and Peru-Colombia.